The thing that sparked the recent social media experience was what might happen to Canol y Dre, the rather rundown social services work opportunities building off Park Road. Activities at Canol y Dre actually started back after lockdown on Tuesday May 4th, after more than a year.
Managing director of Workplace Worksafe Rhian Parry wants to use the building to further her aspirations for a community interest company to help disabled people. She presented as much to the town council of April 26th and her plans were generally well received. She didn't hold back. The building was in an 'outrageous' state and, she asked, 'how can adults [with or without learning disabilities] work in such conditions?' She had gone to owners Denbighshire county council with her plans for the use of the building but they wanted investment in it and had rejected her offer.
Parry painted Denbighshire in a poor light. But, there's always two sides to every story. It appears that the Denbighshire view wasn't quite as Parry portrays it. Denbighshire it seems is quite happy to see the Parry plan in Rhuthun/Ruthin but Parry needs to find accommodation to do so. Denbighshire cannot simply move an asset to a third party as a free gift no matter Parry's intentions. And, as for the conditions therein, Y Bont at Canol y Dre will in the next three months be moving to County Hall to purpose-built accommodation. Popty at Canol y Dre will shortly move to Dinbych. This will leave Canol y Dre empty for disposal on the open market. There is a sense in Denbighshire that Parry was trying somehow to circumvent that sale for Parry's own business ends. No doubt Parry will deny this. According to Denbighshire, she can, of course, bid for the building.
At the town council, county councillor Bobby Feeley put it in perspective. Denbighshire had not been sitting on its hands and had 'exciting plans' for service users at the site. She confirmed the building would then be sold when Parry would have an opportunity to bid for it.
Inside Canol y Dre
The result was that Parry will be setting up her enterprise elsewhere, she says. She had a warmer reception from Wrexham county borough council, she said. As Parry put it, 'Sorry Ruthin. It's gone to Wrexham' because, she said, 'Denbighshire stalled'. Wrexham apparently 'ripped hands and legs off' to have it. Not Denbighshire, though.
Evidence, as seen here on the floor, of its former use when it was in the hands of Lifeguard Equipment
And, Denbighshire believes that there's actually little evidence of need for the type of service Parry proposes (in Rhuthun and generally in Denbighshire).
The market town of the future masterplan suggested that Canol y Dre actually terminate as housing: building there would result in residents being within easy walking distance of the town and therefore it would likely be environmentally sound. Otherwise, the area is zoned as industrial and we'd actually be surprised if that designation will change.